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Assembly to elect Zuma president Assembly to elect Zuma president
(about 3 hours later)
The leader of South Africa's African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, will be officially elected as president later by members of the National Assembly. The leader of South Africa's African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, is to be officially elected as president by members of the National Assembly.
He will then be inaugurated on Saturday, following general elections won by the ANC two weeks ago.He will then be inaugurated on Saturday, following general elections won by the ANC two weeks ago.
Mr Zuma's government is expected to focus on the faltering economy, fighting crime, poverty and HIV/Aids.Mr Zuma's government is expected to focus on the faltering economy, fighting crime, poverty and HIV/Aids.
He faced corruption charges, dropped on a technicality just before the polls. He always denied any wrongdoing.He faced corruption charges, dropped on a technicality just before the polls. He always denied any wrongdoing.
Pro-poor populist ticketPro-poor populist ticket
South Africa's fourth democratic parliament, seated in Cape Town, will begin by swearing in 400 MPs when it convenes for the first time on Wednesday. South Africa's fourth democratic parliament, seated in Cape Town, began by swearing in 400 MPs when it convened for the first time on Wednesday.
The BBC's Mohammed Allie in Cape Town says the MPs will then elect the speaker and deputy speaker, followed by the president, who will address parliament afterwards. The BBC's Mohammed Allie in Cape Town says the MPs then elected the speaker and deputy speaker.
They are now preparing to elect the president, who will address parliament afterwards.
With a 66% majority following this month's general election, Mr Zuma's confirmation in the top job is expected to be mere procedure.With a 66% majority following this month's general election, Mr Zuma's confirmation in the top job is expected to be mere procedure.
Tens of thousands of people and some 5,000 dignitaries are expected on Saturday to attend what is considered to be the main event: Mr Zuma's inauguration in Pretoria. His new cabinet will be announced by Sunday.Tens of thousands of people and some 5,000 dignitaries are expected on Saturday to attend what is considered to be the main event: Mr Zuma's inauguration in Pretoria. His new cabinet will be announced by Sunday.
Mr Zuma won over voters on a pro-poor populist ticket and the ANC gained 264 seats in parliament.Mr Zuma won over voters on a pro-poor populist ticket and the ANC gained 264 seats in parliament.
But the party which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 fell just short of its previous two-thirds majority, which had enabled it to pass constitutional changes.But the party which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 fell just short of its previous two-thirds majority, which had enabled it to pass constitutional changes.
It lost ground to the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, which has swelled to 67 seats and the new Congress of the People (third place with 30 seats), the ANC breakaway party.It lost ground to the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, which has swelled to 67 seats and the new Congress of the People (third place with 30 seats), the ANC breakaway party.
Our correspondent says former President Thabo Mbeki was criticised for not spending enough time in parliament but many analysts believe Mr Zuma will have a different approach.Our correspondent says former President Thabo Mbeki was criticised for not spending enough time in parliament but many analysts believe Mr Zuma will have a different approach.
Mr Zuma was kicked out of parliament in 2005 when he was fired by Mr Mbeki after being implicated in a corruption scandal.Mr Zuma was kicked out of parliament in 2005 when he was fired by Mr Mbeki after being implicated in a corruption scandal.
The charges were dropped just before the election on a technicality amid evidence of government meddling in pursuing the case.The charges were dropped just before the election on a technicality amid evidence of government meddling in pursuing the case.
In February 2006, the controversial polygamist was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for his comments about sex and HIV/Aids.In February 2006, the controversial polygamist was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for his comments about sex and HIV/Aids.